Febraury 28, 2010
CITY HALL - One week into the closure of Mulholland Drive, Councilmember Krekorian introduced a motion Friday to secure badly needed city funds and help reopen the troubled, one mile-stretch in Studio City.
The motion, which was passed 12-0 by the City Council, appropriates $690,000 to begin work immediately and repair the gaping, 35-feet hole on Mulholland Drive.
"We needed to take immediate action on this," Councilmember Paul Krekorian said. "Eight thousand drivers use this stretch of Mulholland every day, so this washout has created an enormous traffic problem. Even more importantly, the public is endangered by this condition, and ensuring their safety requires an immediate response. I will continue to work with state and federal officials to help defray some of our costs by seeking emergency reimbursement."
On February 7, a washout developed on Mulholland Drive as heavy rains drenched the northern flank of the Santa Monica Mountains. A 35-feet wide, 10-feet deep hole developed about a 1/2 mile from Coldwater Canyon, between Bowmont and Skyline drives.
Due to the heavy vehicular traffic on Mulholland Drive and the possibility that the washout could envelope more of the street, the Bureau of Street Services secured the washout location from further erosion by installing temporary K-rails, plastic and sand bags after the storm.
On February 19, the Board of Public Works took emergency action by approving a full hard closure on the affected section of Mulholland Drive. The closure was put into full effect by replacing the temporary mitigation efforts with concrete k-rail, barricades and warning signs.
"My expectation is that crews will get to work as quickly as possible - and I will make sure they do so," Krekorian said. "But, as we get Mulholland moving again, I would stress that drivers should find alternate routes and avoid the area as best they can. My office will continue to work with the Board of Public Works, the Bureau of Street Services and public safety officers to ensure everyone is kept safe as we work to complete the job."
The street repair should take about six months to complete and a map of the area, including how to find alternative routes, can be seen here. A copy of the motion is attached.
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